New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly Announces The Arrest Of 31 Individuals For A Drug Related Conspiracy In The Mitchel Houses In The Bronx

Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today announced the
arrest of 31 individuals involved in a drug dealing operation in the Mitchel
Houses in the Bronx. These arrests are the culmination of "Operation Hellbound"
which began in September 2001. The 40th Precinct Detective Squad led the
investigation and received assistance from the Bronx Homicide Task Force, Bronx
Narcotics and the Federal Bureau ofInvestigation.

The group sold
crack cocaine in and around the Mitchel Houses, but the backbone of the
operation was violence. In September of 2001, the investigation of a murder in
the 40th Precinct revealed a large and embedded organization. The case was
quickly expanded and officers made undercover buys of both crack and
guns.

Commissioner Kelly said: "No investigation is routine. Our
detectives showed particular deftness in this case. A single investigation grew
into a vast drug conspiracy case against a violent, predatory group. We are all
better off with these individuals off the street and bound for
prison."

Those arrested are all facing drug conspiracy charges, but
investigators believe that they are responsible for at least 12 homicides and
multiple non-fatal shootings and assaults. Detectives expect charges to be added
while these individuals are incarcerated. As part of today's takedown, officers
served four search warrants onapartments in the Mitchel Houses. In addition
to extensive documents outlining their dealings, officers recovered a .22
caliber handgun.